Rex performs his first leap from orbit, only to find that he has gone from the frying pan into the fire. Hostile aliens on the surface of Benzine V attack our hero as soon as he lands, and a desperate fight for survival breaks out. Back at the library, Circe and Hypatia get to know each other over a plate of fresh, home baked cookies. The tranquility is interrupted by a wave of hysterical patrons fleeing from the Montgomery reading room. It has been overrun by unknown hostile forces, and only Circe can bring the situation under control and prevent the chaos from spilling over into the rest of the library.